(…) United Nations Security Council members should support a resolution demanding an immediate end to the Syrian government's brutal crackdown against largely peaceful demonstrators, Human Rights Watch said today. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), "non-governmental organizations and others are now reporting that the number of men, women and children killed since the protests began in March has exceeded 1,100, with up to 10,000 or more detained."

"The Security Council's complete silence in the face of mass atrocities against the people of Syria is emboldening the Syrian government in its bloody crackdown," said Philippe Bolopion, UN director at Human Rights Watch. "A veto by Russia and China to protect the Syrian government and block efforts to stop the killings would be a serious betrayal of Syria's beleaguered citizens." (…)

(…) Given their increasing weight on the international scene and aspirations to become permanent members of the UN Security Council, Brazil, India, and South Africa face a particular responsibility to stand up for the values of the UN Charter and send a clear message to the Syrian government that the UN Security Council does not condone the use of tanks, snipers, and torture to suppress peaceful dissent. (…)

(…) Contrary to Syrian officials' attempts to blame the violence on "terrorist groups" or "armed gangs," Human Rights Watch's research indicates that the protests were overwhelmingly peaceful. Human Rights Watch has documented a few instances where civilians used force, including cases of deadly violence against security forces, which appear to be operating under "shoot-to-kill" orders. While these incidents should be fully investigated, they can in no way be used to justify the systematic violence the Syrian security forces have unleashed against their own people. (…)

(…) To justify their opposition to any Security Council action, some countries have expressed concerns about the way NATO is implementing resolution 1973, which authorized the use of force in Libya to protect civilians.

"Countries bringing the Libya baggage to this debate have to explain why Syrian victims should suffer the consequences of a NATO military intervention in which they had no say," said Bolopion. "No one is proposing military action here, and that straw man should not be an excuse for inaction on a resolution condemning Syria's abuses."

Having made largely empty promises to reform, the Syrian government continues to ignore the April 29, 2011 resolution of the UN Human Rights Council urging an end to all human rights violations and calling for an assessment mission by the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

"Rather than shirking responsibility by pointing to the work of the Human Rights Council, the Security Council should put its full weight behind their efforts to quell the violence, including by demanding access to Syria for the OHCHR mission," said Bolopion. "President Bashar al-Assad of Syria has responded to gentle calls for reform with more killings and more brutality. The Security Council should make clear that this conduct is unacceptable." (…)